Rockers men come up short in hoops battle with Defenders

By Chase Odle,

Valley Irrigator Sunday

December 30, 2007

SPEARFISH — The South Dakota School of Mines men’s basketball team suffered from a severe case of the turnover bug during the Hardrockers 93-73 loss to Dordt College on Saturday at the Perkins Classic.

The ’Rockers committed 15 first-half turnovers — 25 on the night — leaving Mines with a 20-point deficit at halftime, 49-29.

“We haven’t seen a team get after us like that all year,” Mines head coach Jason Henry said.

“We struggled all night making fundamental decisions.”

Dordt’s athletic guards, led by all-conference returnee Eric Van Maanen, pestered the ’Rockers all night with their 2-3 zone defense.

Van Maanen, aside from his game-high seven steals, also had a hot hand — scoring a game high 22 points, including three 3-pointers.

Dordt also proved worthy in the depth category as five players finished in double digit scoring for the Defenders.

Mines actually looked as if they were about to make a game out of the gloomy situation with a 15-4 run to open the second half. However, Dordt denied the 'Rockers comeback bid as the Defenders reeled off a 24-8 scoring run to put the game out of reach.